Panel Approves $289 Million to Extend, Widen Freeways

The California Transportation Commission on Wednesday approved spending $289 million to widen the interchange of the Pomona and Orange freeways and extend the Foothill Freeway through La Verne into Rancho Cucamonga, officials said.

The Foothill Freeway now “ends in a pile of dirt” on Wheeler Avenue in La Verne, said Arlene Andrew, a senior planner for the city. With the planned extension, motorists will have a seamless outlet to the Ontario (15) Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga. The extension will displace residents of more than 150 homes, but Andrew said the commotion is worth it.

“Baseline [Road] and Foothill [Boulevard] are really congested. It’s terribly frustrating,” she said.

The Transportation Commission says it expects work to begin on some of the projects as early as next year, officials said.

The commission also agreed Wednesday to set aside $50 million for the Pasadena Blue Line project, said David Yale, director of long-range planning and projects for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.